Superfund Research Program

Exposures, Health Impacts, and Risk for Mine Waste Contamination

Center Director: Xinxin Ding
Grant Number: P42ES004940
Funding Period: 1990-2025

Program Links

Hazardous Waste Sites with On-Going Research

Anaconda Copper Yerington Mine - Yerington, Nevada

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Argonaut Mine - Jackson, California

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

ASARCO Mission Mine - Sahuarita, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Blackbird Mine - Lemhi County, Idaho

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Dine College, Shiprock, NM - Shiprock, New Mexico

• Project: University of Arizona: Community Engagement Core
  Project Investigator: Karletta Chief
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Dine College, Tsaile, AZ - Tsaile, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Community Engagement Core
  Project Investigator: Karletta Chief
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Flat Creek, Superior, AZ - Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Flat Creek, Superior, MT - Montana

• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Formosa Mine - Riddle, Oregon

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Gilt Edge - Lead, South Dakota

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Gold King Mine Spill - Silverton, Colorado

• Project: University of Arizona: Community Engagement Core
  Project Investigator: Karletta Chief, Raina M Maier, Janick F. Artiola, James A. Field
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter - Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Iron Mountain - Redding, California

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

KGHM Carlota Mine - Miami, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Leviathan Mine - Markleeville, California

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Rio Tinto, Resolution Copper - Superior, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Stibnite/Yellow Pine - Stibnite, Idaho

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Sulfur Bank - Clearlake Oaks, California

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Tohono O'odham Community College - Sells, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Community Engagement Core
  Project Investigator: Karletta Chief
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: On-going

White King, Lucky Lass - Lakeview, Oregon

• Project: University of Arizona: Environmental Controls on Bioavailability of Arsenic and Toxic Metals
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: On-going
• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Yerington Mine - Yerington, Nevada

• Project: University of Arizona: Importance of Capping Material Properties in Remediation of Mine Tailings
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Bench scale application of a new remediation technology
  Research/Outreach: On-going

Hazardous Waste Sites with Completed Research

Apache Powder, NPL Superfund site - Benson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Biosurfactant-Enhanced in Situ Metal Remediation
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Remediating Mine Waste Products
  Project Investigator: Martha H Conklin
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Asarco Hayden Plant - Hayden, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Prediction and Properties of Airborne Dust Arising from Mining Sites
  Project Investigator: Eric A Betterton
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Avra Valley - Marana, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Electrochemical Remediation of Arsenic and Chromium
  Project Investigator: James Farrell
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Broadway-Pantano Landfill - Tucson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: New Technologies for the Destructive Remediation of Halogenated Organics
  Project Investigator: Robert G Arnold, Eric A Betterton
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Field test of a new remediation
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Research Translation Core
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Broken Hill - San Manuel, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Biosurfactant-Enhanced in Situ Metal Remediation
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Camp Navajo (Army depot) DOD site - Flagstaff, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Biosurfactant-Enhanced in Situ Metal Remediation
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Gene Enhanced Remediation of Co-Contaminated Soils
  Project Investigator: Ian L. Pepper
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Cananea Mine Spill - Cananea, Sonora

• Project: University of Arizona: Research Translation Core
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier, Julie W Neilson
  Research Types: Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Central Arizona Project Headquarters - Phoenix, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Biosurfactant-Enhanced in Situ Metal Remediation
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Fate and transport study, Field test of a new remediation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

City of Tucson Fuel Depot - Tucson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Bioavailability, Soil Heterogeneity, and In-Situ Biodegradation of Organic Contaminants
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Sequestration Processes for Attenuation and Treatment of Arsenic and other Toxic Elements in Mine Waters
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Application of a new remediation technology as part of the remediation strategy, Fate and transport study
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Superfund Site - Coeur D Alene, Idaho

• Project: University of Arizona: Biosurfactant-Enhanced in Situ Metal Remediation
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Cyprus Tohono Copper Mine - Casa Grande, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Research Translation Core
  Research Types: Research Translation, Communication Activities
  Research/Outreach: Completed

El Camino del Cerro Landfill WQARF Site - Tucson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: New Technologies for the Destructive Remediation of Halogenated Organics
  Project Investigator: Robert G Arnold
  Research Types: Fate and transport study
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Sequestration Processes for Attenuation and Treatment of Arsenic and other Toxic Elements in Mine Waters
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Fate and transport study
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Farmer's Water Company - Sahuarita, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Electrochemical Remediation of Arsenic and Chromium
  Project Investigator: James Farrell
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Field test of a new remediation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

GE Moreau Superfund Site - SOUTH GLENS FALLS, New York

• Project: University of Arizona: Bioavailability, Soil Heterogeneity, and In-Situ Biodegradation of Organic Contaminants
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Fate and transport study
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Gold King Mine Spill - Silverton, Colorado

• Project: University of Arizona: Research Translation Core
  Project Investigator: Karletta Chief, Raina M Maier, Janick F. Artiola, James A. Field
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Harrison Landfill - Tucson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: New Technologies for the Destructive Remediation of Halogenated Organics
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Field test of a new remediation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter - Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Community Engagement Core
  Project Investigator: Karletta Chief
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Critical Events in the Transformation of Human Bladder Cells by Low-Level Arsenic Exposure
  Project Investigator: A. Jay Gandolfi
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Prediction and Properties of Airborne Dust Arising from Mining Sites
  Project Investigator: Eric A Betterton
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Field test of a new remediation, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Research Support Core
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Research Translation Core
  Project Investigator: Monica Ramirez-Andreotta
  Research Types: Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Revegetation of Mining Wastes in Arid and Semiarid Environments: Plant-Microbe-Metal Interactions and Fertility Island Effects
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Ecology study, Field test of a new remediation, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Toxicological Impact of Mine Tailings Dust on Lung Epithelial Barrier Function
  Project Investigator: Robert Clark Lantz
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Klondyke Tailings, WQARF site - Willcox, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Remediating Mine Waste Products
  Project Investigator: Martha H Conklin
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Revegetation of Mining Wastes in Arid and Semiarid Environments: Plant-Microbe-Metal Interactions and Fertility Island Effects
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Ecology study, Field test of a new remediation, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Motorola, Inc. (52nd Street Plant) Superfund site - Phoenix, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Bioavailability, Soil Heterogeneity, and In-Situ Biodegradation of Organic Contaminants
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Fate and transport study, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Community Engagement Core
  Project Investigator: James A. Field
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Research Translation Core
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Nacozari Mining Site - Nacozari, Sonora

• Project: University of Arizona: Revegetation of Mining Wastes in Arid and Semiarid Environments: Plant-Microbe-Metal Interactions and Fertility Island Effects
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Outreach or Community Engagement, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Olive Grove Dross Site - Tucson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Gene Enhanced Remediation of Co-Contaminated Soils
  Project Investigator: Ian L. Pepper
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Page Ranch Landfill - Oracle, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Biosurfactant-Enhanced in Situ Metal Remediation
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Electrochemical Remediation of Arsenic and Chromium
  Project Investigator: James Farrell
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: New Technologies for the Destructive Remediation of Halogenated Organics
  Project Investigator: Robert G Arnold, Eric A Betterton
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Remediating Mine Waste Products
  Project Investigator: Martha H Conklin
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Sequestration Processes for Attenuation and Treatment of Arsenic and other Toxic Elements in Mine Waters
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Park- Euclid, WQARF site - Tucson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: New Technologies for the Destructive Remediation of Halogenated Organics
  Project Investigator: Robert G Arnold, Eric A Betterton, A. Eduardo Saez
  Research Types: Application of a new remediation technology as part of the remediation strategy, Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Fate and transport study, Field test of a new remediation, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Phoenix-Goodyear Airport (PGA) - Phoenix, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Community Engagement Core
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Sequestration Processes for Attenuation and Treatment of Arsenic and other Toxic Elements in Mine Waters
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Pinal Creek, WQARF site - Globe, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Remediating Mine Waste Products
  Project Investigator: Martha H Conklin
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Ecology study, Fate and transport study
  Research/Outreach: Completed

San Pedro River Mine Tailings Site, AZ (Bureau of Land management) - Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Revegetation of Mining Wastes in Arid and Semiarid Environments: Plant-Microbe-Metal Interactions and Fertility Island Effects
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Application of a new remediation technology as part of the remediation strategy, Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Ecology study, Field test of a new remediation, Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Silver Valley - Kellogg, Idaho

• Project: University of Arizona: Biosurfactant-Enhanced in Situ Metal Remediation
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Silverbell Landfill WQARF site - Tucson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Sequestration Processes for Attenuation and Treatment of Arsenic and other Toxic Elements in Mine Waters
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Fate and transport study
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Silverbell Post Office - Tucson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Biosurfactant-Enhanced in Situ Metal Remediation
  Project Investigator: Raina M Maier
  Research Types: Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Tucson International Airport Area (TIAA) Superfund Site - Tucson, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Community Engagement Core
  Project Investigator: James A. Field
  Research Types: Outreach or Community Engagement
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Research Support Core
  Project Investigator: Jon Chorover
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Research Translation Core
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Research Translation
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Sequestration Processes for Attenuation and Treatment of Arsenic and other Toxic Elements in Mine Waters
  Project Investigator: Mark L Brusseau
  Research Types: Application of a new remediation technology as part of the remediation strategy, Bench scale application of a new remediation technology, Collection of samples for off-site analysis, Fate and transport study, Field test of a new remediation
  Research/Outreach: Completed

Vulture Mill, AZ WQARF site - Wickenburg, Arizona

• Project: University of Arizona: Transport of Trace Metals in a Polluted Aquifer
  Project Investigator: Martha H Conklin
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed
• Project: University of Arizona: Transport of Trace Metals in a Polluted Aquifer
  Project Investigator: Martha H Conklin
  Research Types: Collection of samples for off-site analysis
  Research/Outreach: Completed